iFREE Group and Globetouch Inc. today announced a strategic partnership to jointly further the development of 5G-enabled eSIM technologies to expand the capacity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, services and operators and will provide its multi-IMSI multi-supplier e-sim solutions and Globetouch will provide its virtual global connectivity and IoT platform to iFREE Group’s potential 350 million merchant clients.

iFREE Group is a global Travelution company pioneering new ways for international travelers to stay connected in the world of e-commerce and mobile and data roaming communications in over 200 countries and territories. The company has also developed an integrated global ecosystem platform that is capable of integrating mobile communications, cloud-based applications and secure payment gateways and is a next-generation eSIM developer innovating global IoT seamless connectivity.

Globetouch Inc. is a leader in global connectivity services and IoT platforms for the connected vehicle and the IoT market. The company is at the forefront of providing easy and secure access for M2M companies in burgeoning IoT markets requiring dependable connectivity with considerable net savings, providing value to both OEM manufacturers of ioT products and its MNO partners.

The partnership, established today at MWC Barcelona, will enable iFREE Group to offer its connectivity platform, AI and IoT capabilities beyond its traditional travel and consumer market to global automakers and a broader M2M consumer product market. Recognising that smartphones have revolutionised the way people communicate, they are now no longer the only devices designed for and demanding connectivity. There are a multitude of consumer products from air-conditioners and refrigerators to commercial and industrial applications that demand product management and deployment, cybersecurity and real-time analytics.

Mobile network operators (MNOs) have long established prominence, leadership, and infrastructure for existing cellular demands, predominantly for smartphones, tablets, and internet connection, which covers the majority of connectivity demands, but new and emerging AI and IoT markets will demand connectivity that is tailored to their requirements without roaming costs and bandwidth issues.

Having developed 5G-enabled eSIM connectivity, iFREE Group will integrate its technology with Globetouch’s solutions, offering a seamless IoT platform which provides a virtual global connectivity layer, powered by Tier-1 MNOs and is accessible in 180 countries. OEMs can connect their devices to a single point of aggregation, management, security and data analytics and local MNOs can use the Globetouch IoT platform to increase their market reach and secure more business and more data traffic.

In establishing this agreement, iFREE Group Chairman Steven Loke commented: “Globetouch is the gold standard solution that meets the needs of both parties and we are extremely excited with the immense opportunities the sharing of our technology and ecosystem with Globetouch will bring to the global IoT market. Their operator invested and operator neutral ecosystem of connectivity is second to none in the market. Our commitment to providing no limits, no boundaries connectivity to consumers and corporations remains steadfast and this new partnership ensures that together we will push those onwards and upwards.”

Riccardo DiBlasio, CEO of Globetouch Inc., added: “The partnership with iFREE Group is a great step forward for both Globetouch and the AI and IoT communities in general. MNOs provide excellent coverage, service, and infrastructure in their native market, with few exceptions, but they can’t provide an end-to-end global coverage that provides a raw pipe. Nor can they integrate that pipe with a state-of-the-art IoT management platform that have specific industry demands. Working with iFREE, we can expand our network and platform capabilities by offering their multi-IMSI multi-supplier e-sim solutions and future-enable our customers and partners for an increasingly connected world thru IoT.”